KOLKATA : Poor crop productivity and low farm efficiency, owing to financial constraints and other reasons, is a major cause for low self-belief, and high prevalence of depression among the state's farmers. In a study conducted among farmers residing in Dumajoli village in Bhangar area of South 24-Parganas, it was found that more than 46 per cent of farmers lack self-efficacy, as they are not able to take up multiple cropping owing to financial constraints. As a direct consequence, many suffer from depression, say scientists of the psychological research unit at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). The survey was recently conducted by a team of ISI experts, led by Mr Debdulal Roy, a senior lecturer of the psychology research unit of the ISI. Mr Roy, who said self-efficacy has a direct link in increasing the confidence level of the farmers, said for some farmers, crisis arises when they cannot afford to take up multiple cropping because of lack of financial support. This can lead to depression. He said the dilemma is further deepened if crops get damaged due to natural calamity causing heavy financial losses. This even compels some farmers to commit suicide. Data collected during the study revealed that self-efficacy was higher amongst paddy and jute growers and less amongst mustard and wheat growers. Since fertility of the soil, or lack of it, also impacts productivity, it also impacts the level of self-efficacy. "We learnt that the soil is not rich for cultivating mustard seed and wheat, but they were often forced by the landowners to grow such crops. This created disquiet amongst most of the farmers and worsened the situation,' said Mr Roy. Though the study has been conducted on a small scale, Mr Roy said "the attitude of the farmers are more or less same in every part of the country and the need of the hour is to motivate and encourage them to grow such crops that will yield greater productivity.' Stressing on the need of more academic institutes in the city, Mr Roy said, "till now there is only one agricultural institute affiliated under Calcutta University and there is a need for private bodies to create more institutes focussing exclusively on the psychology of the farmers."